State government reporter Heather J. Carlson

December 07, 2009

Name that train!

The Southeast Minnesota Rail Alliance is asking backers of a proposed high-speed rail line to help come up with a name for the train.

The final route for a proposed high-speed rail line from Chicago to the Twin Cities has yet to be determined. And there is plenty of competition among communities as to where that train should go. Cities along the Mississippi River like Winona and Red Wing want to see this proposed high-speed train run along the existing rail line. But Rochester rail backers are pushing hard to make sure the Med City is a stop on the line.

Despite all the uncertainties, Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede, a member of the alliance, is calling on residents to submit name ideas.

“We are calling on the collective creativity of Southeast Minnesota residents to help name the train,” he is quoted as saying in a news release. “Names might note our unique geological characteristics, rich history, regional wildlife or notable industries. But we are looking for all ideas, including those that are considered ‘outside-the-box.’”

Residents can submit their ideas here. Suggestions will be accepted through Dec. 31 and updates will be available on the organization's Facebook page and via Twitter updates from @semnrail.

How about this: Would you ride a train that could get you from Rochester to MSP airport in 30-45 minutes, with 10 to 20 rides available per day? The idea's been proposed multiple times, and it's been repeatedly shown that people would ride it and it would turn a profit, paying for itself in less than 25 years. In fact, faster speeds would mean bigger payoffs. Hard to explain why we hadn't built it years ago.

Why do we need this? Rochester has a private shuttle company that has van that not only take multiple trips every day back & forth to the airport, but will take you to your house. AND it won't take 25 years of taxpayer dollars to pay for itself. Which is a lie. There is NO passenger rail service that pays for itself. They are all subsidized with taxpayer dollars from building to operation.
But hey, if you believe it will really work, feel free to get a group of investors together and build it. But leave me and my wallet out of it. In case you missed it, THE STATE IS BROKE